Tuesday 28 August 2012

Olympic gold is just the beginning for rising Mexico

Men's Olympic soccer isn't as big as the World Cup, of course, but Mexico's first gold medal in the event is even more important than its second-round World Cup victory over Bulgaria on home soil in 1986. Facing a Brazil team with a market value of at least $300 million that desperately wanted to win its first Olympic soccer gold, Mexico (market value: $30 million) played a better game from the opening minute, scoring just 28 seconds in when Oribe Peralta hit for the first of his two goals on the day. Brazil had its chances, but Mexico was sound defensively throughout the game, whether it was center backs Hiram Mier and Diego Reyes, goalkeeper José Corona or pressurizing wide players Héctor Herrera and Javier Aquino. Aquino in particular was magnificent, using great pressure to force the Brazilian turnover that led to the first Mexican goal.

• How much Olympic soccer failure can Brazil stand? Make no mistake, Brazil cared deeply about winning its first gold medal, sending to London a star-studded squad that included Neymar, Thiago Silva, Oscar, Hulk and Lucas Moura, along with senior team coach Mano Menezes. There was so much pressure, in fact, that it remains to be seen whether Menezes will keep his job after failing to win this tournament. But the fact is that Menezes made a mistake in his lineup for the final, using Alex Sandro instead of Hulk, and the coach admitted as much when he made a rare first-half substitution to bring on Hulk. Brazil's biggest problem was its back line and general defense. Aquino forced a turnover by pressuring Rafael, leading to Mexico's first goal, and Peralta was unmarked in the box on a free kick on the play that led to Mexico's second goal. Many of these players are expected to be on Brazil's World Cup 2014 squad, but if Brazil wants to win on home soil, it will have to tighten up defensively.

• The sky is the limit for Mexico moving forward. One reason this was Mexico's most important win is that it heralds an even better future, perhaps, for a nation on the rise globally. In recent years, Mexico has won the Under-17 World Cup (twice), reached the semifinals of the Under-20 World Cup and won the Olympic tournament. For a nation that has only reached the World Cup quarterfinals twice (in 1970 and '86, both on home soil) and has gone out in the second round five straight times, there's an infectious optimism that Mexico is a legitimate contender to win in 2014. I'm not kidding. The breakthrough comes when you start winning trophies, and Mexico is on its way. CONCACAF has swept the Olympic soccer gold medals here, and the region is undeniably on the rise.


Tuesday 14 August 2012

Ramirez rejects Tottenham star Bologna

news about football probably According to the Uruguay international's representative, the Spurs are the only side to have made ​​a concrete offer although he did acknowledge there have been That talks with Liverpool.

Despite Ramirez's decision to reject a move to north London, Oscar Betancourt did keep the door open for a future switch, suggesting That the sale of Real Madrid target of Luka Modric Could fund a move.

"The only solid offer is the one from Tottenham, WHO Offered 16 million euros," Betancourt of toll Calciomercato. "But the deal did not go Because the Spurs Offered through a wage too low to the player and if the wage difference is minimal he would stay at Bologna.

"Their offer Tottenham Could raise if They sell Modric and in case the deal That Could be done, otherwise Ramirez will stay another year at Bologna. We also talked with Liverpool but nothing more.

"Inter? They are interested in the player, but can not afford a cash offer similar to the English clubs. Nerazzurri would wish to include some players in the deal, but only wants cash Bologna, also Because of the arrangement with Penarol [Ramirez's former club] WHO receive a percentage if the player is sold. "

and so from this news may be less comfortable yes because I lack experience about writing thank you for reading